India Supports Mauritius In Attempts to Decolonize Indian Ocean Region, Backs Mauritus’ Claim On Chagos Islands Dispute Against The UK

India champions Mauritius' quest to reclaim the Chagos Islands, standing against colonial legacies and fostering a future of sovereignty and unity in the Indian Ocean region.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Mauritius Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin. (ANI Photo)

BRICS+ nations are working to create a parallel financial ecosystem, often called De-dollarization, that does not rely on the existing model dominated by Western influence. However, De-dollarization is not an isolated process and should be viewed in tandem with efforts to eliminate the aftermath of Western colonialism or De-colonization.  

During the 76th Independence Day celebrations on 15 Aug 2022, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to the nation,

"In no part of our existence, not even in the deepest corners of our mind or habits should there be any ounce of slavery. It should be nipped there itself. We have to liberate ourselves from the slavery mindset which is visible in innumerable things within and around us”. 

PM Modi has also been vocal and supportive of decolonizing efforts in nations that were victims of the Colonial period. He has also spoken about reforming many of the international bodies serving as relics of a Western-centric post-World War II era, with the help of the Global South countries. 

Dr Jaishankar Assures Mauritius Of Complete Support Over Its Claim On Chagos Islands Against The UK

In a visit to the Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea in 2023 for the FIPIC III (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Co-operation) Summit, PM Modi said “You are not Small Island States, but Large Ocean Countries”. The change in terminology from a small island state to a large ocean country has a strong effect on national confidence and morale.

Mauritius is another Large Ocean Country situated in a geo-strategically influential region of the Indian Ocean. Chagos Islands, an archipelago and part of the Mauritian territory, has historically played a key role as a transit point for ships sailing across the Indian Ocean. Even after the inhabitants were forcibly evicted in 1973 after years of British colonization, it continues to remain under illegal British occupation and is misrepresented as British Indian Ocean Territory. The US Navy also has a support base in Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago. 

In his 2-day visit to Mauritius on 16 July 2024, External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar discussed a wide range of topics including Defense & Maritime Co-operation and Space collaboration between the two countries for a satellite launch. 

Mauritius’ sovereign rights on the Chagos Islands were also raised during the visit. Dr Jaishankar reiterated India’s position saying,

“As we look at our deep and enduring relationship, Prime Minister, I would like to again assure you today that on the issue of Chagos, India will continue its consistent support to Mauritius in line with its principal stand on decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations”. 

From a foreign policy perspective, relations with Mauritius are part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy, Marine cooperation initiative for the Indian Ocean — SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), Africa Forward Initiative, and India’s commitment to the Global South countries.

A week after Dr Jaishankar visited Mauritius, the Foreign Secretary of the UK — David Lammy, made his maiden visit to India after the 2024 UK polls.

Colonial Occupation Of Chagos Islands: A Brief History 

The Chagos Islands served as a stopover for Indian and Arabian trading ships for centuries before the dawn of colonial times. In the 16th Century, a Portuguese explorer, in search of India, landed on the shores of the biggest island of the archipelago and named it Diego Garcia, as per a video published on Firstpost. Over time the Dutch, French, and British - all colonial powers of the time, fought each other for control over the islands from the 16th Century to the 19th Century. The archipelago’s location is extremely strategic, but it was still dependent on Mauritius for supplies and governance. Since the early 1800’s, Britain has retained control of the Chagos Islands. 

After World War II Britain lost control over all of its colonies, including India and Mauritius. India gained its independence in 1947 and Mauritius became independent in 1968. However, before relinquishing its colonial control over Mauritius, the UK declared the Mauritian territory of the Chagos Islands as British Indian Ocean territory. Intending to establish a presence in the Indian Ocean region, the United States of America collaborated with the UK. In 1966, the US & UK signed an agreement to turn Diego Garcia into a US Navy base. To exercise control over the island, the inhabitants were coerced to move to Mauritius or Seychelles. Tactics like cutting off supply ships to deprive islanders of food and medicines were also used to force them out. These attempts continued till 1973 when the island was completely emptied of the native population.  

Verdict On Chagos Islands

Britain committed that it would compensate Mauritius for illegally occupying its territories, reports Human Rights Watch. However, the reparations were too meager and selectively paid to a handful of the islanders who were now living in Mauritius. 

The Islanders sought legal recourse in international courts. Verdicts by The International Court of Justice (ICJ) as well as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) have ruled that the territory belongs to Mauritius and that British occupation of the Chagos Islands is illegal. 

Although the UK accepts that the discriminative treatment meted out to the islanders was “shameful and wrong”, it continues its illegal occupation to maintain a foothold in the Indian Ocean Region.